ROCHESTER — The Rochester community is invited to attend Poetry Out Loud at Spaulding High School on Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 6:30 p.m.

Nearly 20 students will compete locally in this national recitation contest. The winner will walk away with a renewable scholarship award; the school champion will receive $20,000 from New England College.

Winners will also receive gifts and prizes from local merchants, including Granite State Steak House and Windjammers Seafood Restaurant, Wal-Mart, and Hilltop Fun Center.

This year, Spaulding High School has joined over 30 New Hampshire schools in the program, sponsored by the New Hampshire Council of Arts, which encourages high school students to memorize and perform great poems.

The night will also offer readings by local celebrity artists and poets, including Andrew Periale and Pat O’Brien, as well as live musical performances and door prizes. “Having such notable literary figures at this event is a wonderful opportunity for these students,” said Nichole Ficken, English teacher and a Poetry Out Loud coordinator. “These people are experts in this field and can offer the students valuable feedback and guidance.”

Besides the scholarship opportunities and other prizes, the winner will compete at a regional and state final competition. The winner of the state competition will receive an all-expense paid trip to the national competition in Washington, DC, in April.

More details about the program plus many valuable resources are available at the national Poetry Out Loud website: www.poetryoutloud.org.